Now then, now then...

Id rather my first post on the forums not be a techy question, but unfortunately things break and I dont know how to go about fixing them =P.

I'm the proud new owner of a 2002 Focus Zetec 2.0 ESP, but the radio (a Ford 6006e, 6cd in-dash changer jobbie) seems to be playing up.

I seem to get very intermittant, and random, radio reception. One day it will not pick up any radio stations at all, like there is no aerial connected, the next day it works perfectly. I can feel that the aerial connector is deffinitely connected to the unit, but tweaking it or anything seems to make no difference to the reception.

I've tried to get the unit out the dashboard (with the 2-pronged things you shove in the front to take out Ford radios), but it seems to be really wedged in. Ive taken other Ford radios out without any trouble. Is there some other method to get a radio out of a Focus? I've dropped down the glovebox door down, and the section of dashboard under the wheel in an attempt to get some force behind the unit to push it out, but it just wont budge. I cant see any screws, but obviously, its not very easy to actually see anything behind a dark dashboard.

Has anyone else had a similar problem with reception? Or anyone who can tell me how to get the unit out (hidden screws or something)?

Cheers...
Alistair.

 

Ive had a revelation! For whatever reason, I never noticed that after inserting the removal tools, you have to push them outwards (left one to the left, right to the right, incase you dont know which way outwards is.... haha :P) to actually get the stereo out. I dont know if I'd not been paying attention before or if this actually was a Focus thing, as I thought it was a matter of, shove in the tool, pull out the radio. Anyhoo...

Since I have to be in work early in the morning, I'll see if I can fix the aerial problem tomorrow evening, but if I ever get to the bottom of the dodgy reception thing, I'll be sure to post & let you know. That is presuming that its not something as simple as, the previous owner half cut the cable.

On a completely random side note.... Anyone know when the cam belt should ideally be changed on a 2002 2.0 litre Focus (Zetec-E engine, I believe)?

I know Ford says at 100k miles. While Im no mechanical engineer, that does strike me as being a bloody long time. I know most manufacturers say closer to the 60k mile mark. While it cant hurt to have it done sooner, rather than later, I wouldnt mind a more expert opinion than, erm, mine :P